It was a monumental moment at Quw’utsun Cultural Centre located alongside the Cowichan River on May 12 when Cowichan Tribes First Nation and the Province of British Columbia joining together for the signing of a precedent-setting Agreement (S-xats-thut tst). The Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah) watershed Planning Agreement builds on three years of government-to-government work by Cowichan Tribes and the province.
“The Xwulqw’selu watershed is under pressure and we know the current path is not sustainable — for fish, for the ecosystem, or for people,” said Chief Lydia Hwitsum. “We need to come together to develop a plan that protects the watershed’s health and sustains Cowichan Tribes and the Cowichan Valley communities for generations to come. This plan is the first of its kind and signals a commitment to work together in an enduring partnership based on respect and recognition of Cowichan Tribes’ inherent authority and our teachings.”
The event opened with words spoken from the heart, an opening blessing, and the youth of Cowichan Tribes First Nation moving all that were in attendance through traditional drumming, song, and dance. The main resounding message —water is life. This is B.C.’s first Water Sustainability Plan developed under the Water Sustainability Act.
READ MORE: Cowichan Tribes, province, reach agreement on Koksilah watershed plan
This new plan will address the needs of the flora, fauna, land, and the communities that depend on the watershed. Both governments joining forces marks the next phase — a comprehensive process to develop a long-term plan for the Xwulqw’selu watershed, located within the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) territories on eastern Vancouver Island. In recent years, this watershed has been impacted by serious climate related challenges, including extreme low flows in the summer and flooding in the winter. The Xwulqw’selu watershed is not only central to the identity and culture of the Quw’utsun Mustimuhw (Cowichan peoples), but also has deep roots and is prominent in their origin stories. The new watershed agreement is informed by 11 Quw’utsun snuw’uy’ulh (teachings), ensuring that Indigenous values will guide the process and provide a foundation for an enduring and respectful co-governance relationship.
“Healthy watersheds are at the heart of all social, environmental, and economic systems supporting B.C.,” said Nathan Cullen, minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “The province and Cowichan Tribes share a responsibility to protect the Xwulqw’selu Watershed. Through this landmark agreement, we will continue to work together to make shared decisions on the watershed and ensure it is sustainably managed now, and into the future.”
chadd.cawson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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